Heat shock protein analysis in genetically modified and non-modified cotton plants under high temperature stress

The purpose of this study was to see how high temperature stress affected heat shock proteins (HSPs) in cotton plants. The study used both genetically modified (GM) and non-GM cotton seeds from the same cultivar. The seeds were planted in 14x12 cm pots with peat:perlite (1:1), and the seedlings were growth in a controlled greenhouse at 45% relative humidity and temperatures ranging from 15 to 32 °C (day and night). The seedlings were then placed in a growth cabinet at the 4-6 leaf stage, starting at 30 °C and steadily increasing by 5 °C every half hour to 45 °C, where they were stressed for 2 hours. Changes in total soluble protein (TSP) content and HSP60 and HSP23 proteins were determined in leaf tissues in response to heat stress. In addition, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were analyzed in seed and leaf samples. The amount of TSP in genetically modified (GM) positive plants did not change in response to temperature treatment, whereas temperature dramatically increased the amount of TSP in GM negative plants. Protein bands ranging in size from 9 to 158 KDa were discovered using SDS-PAGE. The intensity of the 9 kDa and 24 kDa bands increased greater in both plant groups (GM negative and GM positive). Furthermore, high temperature stress produced HSP60 and HSP23 protein increase in both groups. This increase was greater in GM positive plants for HSP60 protein and greater in GM negative plants for HSP23 protein.